Bordeaux wine | Britannica.com Bordeaux wine Rhône wine Bordeaux wine, also called claret, any of numerous wines of the region surrounding the city of Bordeaux , France . Bordeaux has a long history in wine culture; like Burgundy and the Rhine region, it was known in Roman times. During the English occupation of Bordeaux, a charter was granted, first by Richard I and second by John in 1199, to the still-functioning jurade, a controlling body dating originally from the 12th century, which in its ceremonies still observes its medieval ritual and uses its traditional robes of the St. Emilion district for the supervision of wine making. Claret meant in those days a pale wine made by mixing reds and whites; the word claret is not used in modern French. Vineyards in St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France. © Adam & Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer The modern Bordeaux region is one of the world’s most important regions making fine wines. It is divided by the Bordeaux wine classification into 36 districts, which in turn are divided into communes.

Within these communes, again, are certain individual vineyards, called châteaux in this region, that produce the finest wines. The châteaux bottle their own wine and label it under their names, thus guaranteeing that it is not a blend. The château-bottled wines rated best are classified as crus classés, which in turn have five categories called growths. These five growths are not altogether based on excellence, which in fine wines remains always a matter of taste to some degree; other criteria , such as market price, exportation, and fame also formed these ratings. Rated in 1855, this classification is also outdated; nevertheless it has held up well over the years apart from excluding the possibility of improvement after 1855. After these crus classés are crus exceptionnels, comprising a half dozen wines, and several hundred wines named crus bourgeois and crus artisans, or paysans. The last two categories are largely obsolete owing to the growth of cooperative wineries, which have enabled small proprietors to use up-to-date wineries managed by expert vintners, thus raising the quality of less-expensive wine in Bordeaux and elsewhere.

Although strict labeling is in force in Bordeaux château-bottled wines, inferior wines are still sold as Bordeaux. Further, because a poor year produces wine of inferior quality, such wines must be known by vintage as well. Major wine-producing regions of France. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Chablis Wines of the Bordeaux region are labeled Bordeaux. Wines from specific districts of Bordeaux are usually of specific type and have more interest; they are labeled with the district name, as Médoc or St. Emilion. Within the districts are communes, of specific wine type and of superior character; these are labeled with the name of the commune, St. Julien or St. Estèphe. Of the 17 districts in Bordeaux, Médoc, Graves, St. Emilion, and Pomerol are best known. Médoc, Sauternes, and Barsac were classified in 1855, Graves in 1953, and St. Emilion in 1955. Médoc These wines are red, generally of light body and strong flavour.

Médoc, 50 miles (80.5 km) long and 3–7 miles (5–11 km) wide, has a dozen communes, each possessing soil that produces wine of particular quality; Pauillac, Margaux, St. Julien, Cantenac, and St. Estèphe are of these. Of the 61 red wines classified crus classés in 1855, all but one were from Médoc. First growth châteaux are Lafite-Rothschild, Margaux, and Latour; other crus classés number among them Mouton-Rothschild and Kirwan. Graves The general reputation of Graves is for white wine, rich in taste and not too sweet. Actually Graves produces as much red as white. These balanced, fine-coloured, and rather fruity reds are sometimes rated finer than the whites. Château Haut-Brion was classified first growth in 1855; it is one of eight classified red wines of Graves in the 1959 official classification of Graves. Five châteaux were selected as classified white wines of Graves in 1959.

Sauternes and Barsac Wine: Fact or Fiction? The natural sweet wines, fruity with enduring rich flavour, of this district are usually considered among the world’s finest. To achieve their quality the grapes are left until overripe on the vines before harvesting, thus producing the ripeness known as pourriture noble, which leaves an abundance of sugar in the grape, sweetening the wine and producing a high alcoholic content. A label of Haut-Sauternes is also allowed for wines of this district, although no such area exists. Wines from the village area of Barsac, similar to Sauternes, are allowed the label of Sauternes or Barsac. Château d’Yquem is classified first superior growth, and 24 other châteaux are classed in the first and second growths. St. Emilion Bordeaux, France - definition of Bordeaux, France by The Free Dictionary Bordeaux, France - definition of Bordeaux, France by The Free Dictionary Related to Bordeaux, France: Toulouse, France Bor·deaux 1 (bôr-dō′) A city of southwest France on the Garonne River.

It was under English rule from 1154 to 1453 and was the seat of the French government in 1914 and again in 1940. Bordeaux is the trading center of a notable wine-producing region. Bor·deaux 2 n. pl. Bor·deaux (bôr-dō′, -dōz′) A red or white wine produced in the region around Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux (bɔːˈdəʊ; French bɔrdo) n 1. (Placename) a port in SW France, on the River Garonne: a major centre of the wine trade. Pop: 235 878 (2006) 2. (Brewing) any of several red, white, or rosé wines produced around Bordeaux Bor•deaux 1. a seaport in SW France, on the Garonne River. 226,281. 2. any of various wines produced in the region surrounding Bordeaux, esp. claret.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Bordeaux - a port city in southwestern France; a major center of the wine trade France , French Republic - a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe 2. vino , wine - fermented juice (of grapes especially) Medoc - red Bordeaux wine from the Medoc district of southwestern France red Bordeaux , claret - dry red Bordeaux or Bordeaux-like wine Translations 1. (Geog) → Burdeos m 2. (= wine) → burdeos m Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: brut References in periodicals archive ? With Operations in Bend, Oregon, Santa Clara, California, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, Boulder, Colorado and Bordeaux, France, APT is a leading supplier of power semiconductors for RF, Microwave, Linear, and Switchmode Applications. Lion-Gri Receives Award at Vinexpo - 2005 Pierre Bernard, working with the Centre Aquitain du dos, in Bordeaux, France is a well regarded spine surgeon and clinical researcher and publisher.

LDR Medical Reaches 100 Human Implantations of Mobi-C(R) Cervical Artificial Disc; Innovative Spinal Implant Device Achieves Important Milestone in its Young History BORDEAUX, France -- The trade association representing Bordeaux grape growers and negociants retained Napa Valley-based Benson Marketing Group to establish a new press office in the United States. Interactive Entertainment Industry Veteran, Jeffrey Lapin Promoted to Chairman of the Supervisory Board IN-FUSIO and Mobile Scope are wholly owned divisions of IN-FUSIO Group, a leading international mobile entertainment company with its head office in Bordeaux, France. IN-FUSIO To Create Two Separate Divisions; IN-FUSIO to Continue Publishing Mobile Games and Applications, Carrier Services to Operate Under New Mobile Scope Brand The study will continue to be led by the surgeons Jean Charles LeHuec, MD, PhD, from the Department of Orthopaedics at the University Hospital in Bordeaux, France, and Richard Assakar, MD, from the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital in Lille, France. Bordeaux | Define Bordeaux at Dictionary.com Bordeaux a seaport in and the capital of Gironde, in SW France, on the Garonne River.

2. any of various wines produced in the region surrounding Bordeaux, especially claret. 3. [juh-rond; French zhee-rawnd] /dʒəˈrɒnd; French ʒiˈrɔ̃d/ Spell noun 1. an estuary in SW France, formed by the junction of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. 45 miles (72 km) long. 2. a department in SW France. 4141 sq. mi. (10,725 sq. km). Capital: Bordeaux. the Gironde, the party of the Girondists . Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for Bordeaux Expand Contemporary Examples Perhaps thanks to the surf and turf and the stellar Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc, there were no lost tempers. The Great Wine Cover-up Keith Wallace August 17, 2009 The site, run by a computer science student in Bordeaux, only uses official Elysée Palace photographs. At last all was ready and Lafayette reached Bordeaux where the boat was waiting.

Lafayette Martha Foote Crow He had flown by way of Bordeaux, and first landed in America, bare-headed and barefoot, and with a single halfpenny in his pocket. British Dictionary definitions for Bordeaux Expand noun 1. a port in SW France, on the River Garonne: a major centre of the wine trade. Pop: 215 363 (1999) 2. any of several red, white, or rosé wines produced around Bordeaux related noun 1. a department of SW France, in Aquitaine region. Capital: Bordeaux. Pop: 1 330 683 (2003 est). Area: 10 726 sq km (4183 sq miles) 2. an estuary in SW France, formed by the confluence of the Rivers Garonne and Dordogne. Length: 72 km (45 miles) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for Bordeaux Expand 1560s, type of wine imported from the city in southwestern France. Its name is Roman Burdigala (1c.), perhaps from a Celtic or pre-Celtic source the sense of which has been lost. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper claret (red wine) - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus Collins Dictionary: claret [mainly British] a red wine, especially one from the Bordeaux district of France | a purplish-red colour | [adjective] (17 of 479 words, 3 definitions, 10 usage examples, pronunciation) Oxford Dictionary: claret a red wine from Bordeaux, or wine of a similar character made elsewhere | a deep purplish-red colour. | [archaic, informal] : blood.

(21 of 93 words, 3 definitions, 2 usage examples, pronunciation) Bordeaux - definition of Bordeaux by The Free Dictionary Bordeaux - definition of Bordeaux by The Free Dictionary Bor·deaux 1 (bôr-dō′) A city of southwest France on the Garonne River. It was under English rule from 1154 to 1453 and was the seat of the French government in 1914 and again in 1940. Bordeaux is the trading center of a notable wine-producing region. Bor·deaux 2 n. pl. Bor·deaux (bôr-dō′, -dōz′) A red or white wine produced in the region around Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux (bɔːˈdəʊ; French bɔrdo) n 1. (Placename) a port in SW France, on the River Garonne: a major centre of the wine trade. Pop: 235 878 (2006) 2. (Brewing) any of several red, white, or rosé wines produced around Bordeaux Bor•deaux 1.

a seaport in SW France, on the Garonne River. 226,281. 2. any of various wines produced in the region surrounding Bordeaux, esp. claret. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Bordeaux - a port city in southwestern France; a major center of the wine trade France , French Republic - a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe 2. vino , wine - fermented juice (of grapes especially) Medoc - red Bordeaux wine from the Medoc district of southwestern France red Bordeaux , claret - dry red Bordeaux or Bordeaux-like wine Translations 1. (Geog) → Burdeos m 2. (= wine) → burdeos m Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: brut References in classic literature ? Hearing this, the captain vowed that they were the grateful parties (meaning himself and mate) and concluded by inviting Stubb down into his cabin to drink a bottle of Bordeaux.

View in context Consequently, observe what happens: the Duchesse de Langeais(see "History of the Thirteen") makes herself a nun for the lack of ten minutes' patience; Judge Popinot (see "Commission in Lunacy") puts off till the morrow the duty of examining the Marquis d'Espard; Charles Grandet (see "Eugenie Grandet") goes to Paris from Bordeaux instead of returning by Nantes; and such events are called chance or fatality View in context At each corner were arranged trophies, presenting to view swords of all sorts, and on the walls hung four great pictures representing in their ordinary military costume the Cardinal de Lorraine, the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Cardinal de la Valette, and the Archbishop of Bordeaux. View in context I am thinking now of river ports I have seen - of Antwerp, for instance; of Nantes or Bordeaux, or even old Rouen, where the night-watchmen of ships, elbows on rail, gaze at shop-windows and brilliant cafes, and see the audience go in and come out of the opera-house.

French wines and wine regions of France South-west Alsace Situated on the lower eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains, in the Rhine valley between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, the Alsace vineyard is rather different from any other French wine growing area. Like the region of Alsace itself, the wine culture here is steeped in a Germanic tradition, producing mostly dry or fruity white wines, the most popular being Riesling, Sylvaner and the very fruity Gewurztraminer. The rules of Appellation contrôlée - and more recently of Appellation Protégée (AOP) are not applied in the same way in Alsace as in the rest of France. In Alsace, wines are produced under a simple "Alsace" appellation, after which the next most important element to be indicated, and the most visible word on the label, is the grape variety or "cépage", Sylvaner, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Edelzwicker, Pinot or a few others. Smaller areas do not have their own appellations, though with many Alsace wines, the name of the village or vineyard from which it comes will also be indicated. See also Vendanges tardives.

Lorraine, also in north east France, produces mostly Vin de pays white wines, in the Meuse and the Moselle. Price list outside a top-class wine merchant in the Bordeaux region. Note the price of a bottle of Petrus 1982.... at 6720 €. Not for ordinary mortals. Bordeaux Wine, and wine growing region. With Burgundy and Champagne, the Bordeaux region of Aquitaine is one of the three most famous French wine-producing regions. Historically, its fame is at least in part due to the fact that of these three big grape-growing areas, the Bordeaux vineyard is the only one with immediate access to the sea, an advantage that has enabled it to be France's major wine exporting region for many centuries. In 1152, when queen Eleanor of Aquitaine married the English king Henry II, the Aquitaine region became economically integrated into the Anglo-Norman world, the Bordeaux region becoming the main supplier of wine for England. This historic wine exporting tradition helped Bordeaux to develop far stronger commercial links in the ensuing centuries, firmly establishing Bordeaux wines, often referred to generically in English as "clarets", on the international market.

The Bordeaux vineyard is centered round the port city of Bordeaux , along the estuary of the Gironde, and the rivers Garonne and Dordogne. It is a large vineyard, and the geo-specific appellation "Bordeaux" covers an area stretching some 100 km both north-south and east-west. While the appellation contrôlée covers wines of medium quality from all over this region, many if not most of the top quality clarets grown in the overall area benefit from more specific and distinctive area appellations, such as Médoc , Graves or Saint Emilion, and even more local appellations such as Pauillac, Graves and Saint-Estèphe. Unlike other French wine-growing areas, the Bordeaux area operates classifications of many of its top wines, notably those from the Médoc and Saint Emilion vineyards. The best estates in these areas have the right to sell wines designated as grand cru. Below the grand crus come other high quality wines designated as cru bourgeois. Tip: 2009 is said to be an exceptionally good vintage year. Médoc Among the Bordeaux vineyards, Médoc deserves a special mention.

The Médoc, an area south of the Gironde estuary to the north west of Bordeaux, is the home of many of the most prestigious French wines. Among the famous appellations produced in this area are Saint Estèphe, Margaux, Saint Julien and Pauillac. It was in 1855 that the wine producers of the Medoc region classified their 61 best wines according to a league table of "grands crus", ranking from "Premier Cru" to "Cinquième Cru". These grands crus are generally reputed to be the greatest of all French wines, and naturally their prices generally reflect this status. Obviously, if you buy an estate bottled wine from a chateau with grand cru status, (and of course they are all estate bottled), you can be pretty sure of getting a top quality wine. But take care! Even a grand cru wine can go off if it is not matured and cared for in the best conditions. Other areas of south- west France Inland and southwards from the Bordeaux / Saint Emilion regions, there are a number of less well-known wine growing areas, many of them producing quite good wines at very reasonable prices.

These include Bergerac, Cahors, Gaillac and Marcillac (all Appellation Contrôlée wines) , or Côtes du Tarn or Vin de Pays du Lot. While Marcillac is a small area, the vineyards of Cahors, Gaillac and Bergerac are quite extensive, and best known for their reds. The Cahors area produces some of the richest and darkest red wines in France, principally using the Malbec grape variety, sometimes referred to as "purple wine". However the Bergerac wine producing area is also known for its white wines, including some strong sweet aperitif wines such as Montbazillac Towards the Pyrenees, there are some surprisingly good white wines from the vineyards of Jurançon and Béarn, notably Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh, reputed for its distinctive aperitif wines. Close by, the vineyards of Madiran produce a well-known red. Bourgogne (Burgundy) The vineyards of the Burgundy region cover a narrow strip of land on the eastern slopes of the hills running south-east from the Burgundian Capital, Dijon.

the heart of the Burgundy wine growing region is the historic city of Beaune, where the autumn wine sale in the historic "Hospices" building is one of the high points of the wine year. Burgundy wines are classified on four levels, the lowest being the generic "Bourgogne" appellation. Selected areas of the Burgundy vineyard have their own classifications, such as Côtes de Beaune. Within these, there are smaller areas, villages and groups of villages, reputed to produce higher quality wine, such as Mersault, Pernand Vergelesse or Aloxe Corton . Finally, at the top of the pyramid, there are the "grands crus", such as Clos Vougeot, with its mere 51 hectares of vineyard. Finding ones way around Burgundy wines is sometimes a daunting task. The best Burgundy wines are the reds, the best of which can keep for a good 20 to 30 years. However, Burgundy also produces some top quality, though not too distinctive, whites.

It is often said that generic burgundies "Bourgogne Rouge" or Bourgogne Passetoutgrains" white are overpriced and not particularly good value for money. A good tip: 2003 is said to be one of the best vintages for many years. Visit: Check out hotels on the Burgundy wine trail ►Beaujolais: In the south of the Burgundy region, bordering the Rhone valley vineyards, a large area round Beaujeu produces a light red wine known as Beaujolais, paradoxically one of the most famous French wines. This is a wine that does not usually keep for very many years, and over the last fifty years it has been successfully marketed as a "vin primeur", or young wine, to be drunk after just a few weeks of maturing. But the success of Beaujolais Nouveau - launched on the market each year on the third Thursday of November - has more to do with clever marketing than with any real quality of the wine. Champagne The Champagne region , centered on the towns of Reims (Rheims) and Epernay, is the most northern of France's major vineyards.

Unlike most of the best French wines, champagnes are blended in order to produce either non vintage champagnes (blended from different years) or vintage champagne, blended from wines of the same harvest. Consequently, since the quality of the champagne ultimately depends on a balance between the quality of the grapes and the skill of the blenders, Champagnes are also ranked and promoted by producer, not by any more finely delimited appellation . Possibly the most highly rated of blends is Krug; other well appreciated brands include Mumm, Bollinger and Heidsieck, not to mention the very well known brands of Moët & Chandon and Taittinger. The distinct taste and purity of real champagne is certainly due to the chalky soil and the continental growing conditions that abound in the Champagne region. Several of the main French Champagne producers have set up branches and vineyards in California, but in spite of bringing over their best master-blenders, have never been able to achieve quite the same result. Although many people imagine that Champagnes are all white, this is not quite true. Rosé champagnes also exist. Note: Champagne is not a generic term for sparkling wine from France.

There are plenty more good sparkling wines from France that are not sold as champagne. While it is true to say that the top champagnes are inimitable, it is far from true to imagine that you have to buy a real champagne if you want a good French sparkling wine. Some other excellent sparkling wines are produced in Burgundy (Crémant de Bourgogne), the Jura (Crémant du Jura) and the Loire valley (Vouvray and others) and other areas, using the same techniques (formerly called "méthode champenoise" - an expression now banned from use in other regions) and a similar but not identical mix of grape varieties, notably Chardonnay. Only the most experienced connaisseurs can distinguish a middling Champagne from a good crémant or Vouvray... yet non-Champagne sparkling wines sell at a fraction of the price of equivalent quality wines from Champagne. Finally, please, the correct way to open a champagne cork is to ease it very gently out of the bottle. It is not to imitate a victorious Formula One racing driver and spray the contents of the bottle all over one's guests.

Visit: Check out hotels on the Champagne wine trail Loire Valley Although there are some excellent wines produced in the large Loire Valley area, there are few Loire wines, whites, rosés or pale reds, that rank among the greatest French wines. "Anjou Rosé" is a good everyday rosé, and "Muscadet" and "Gros Plant" from near the mouth of the Loire are dry white wines that go excellently with seafood.. Another good appellation is "Pouilly Fumé" (not to be confused with "Pouilly Fuissé", a white Burgundy). The Loire valley, however, is also France's second largest producer of sparkling wines, after Champagne. The region also produces vin gris, "grey wine", which is actually a very pale rosé, being a white wine made from black grapes. Two of the more prestigious varieties are Vouvray and Saumur. While there are plenty of Loire wines that benefit from appellations controlées, others are sold under the VDQS label.

Cognac: / Charentes: The Cognac / Charentes region is a major wine area, though normal wine itself is not the main product of the region; the wine produced is mostly used for distilling into Cognac or other spirits, or else for the production of a delicious apéritif wine known as Pineau des Charentes. Some white wine is produced under the Vin de Pays label, and there are some vineyards that produce rosé or even red wines. Jura. Possibly the most underrated of French white wines, Jura wines come from the south of the Franche-Comté region , the west-facing slopes of the Jura hills that look out across the wide Saône valley to the slopes of Burgundy on the other side. The best and most distinctive of Jura whites are made from the "Savagnin" grape variety, which is found only in this region, and gives the wine a delicious sherry-like taste. However, most Jura wines are blended from different varieties, and as in Alsace, the grape variety tends to be indicated on the label.

the Jura vineyard also produces dark rosé wines, sometimes called reds, as well as the famous "yellow wine", Vin Jaune, an expensive apéritif wine not unlike Amontillado sherry, made exclusively from the Savagnin grape variety. The most prestigious appellation for Vin Jaune is Château Chalon. This wine is made from late harvested grapes, and then left to mature in casks for at least six years. Côtes du Rhone Côtes du Rhône is one of those French wines that has become famous on account more as a result of the extent of the vineyard than of the quality of the wine. The Côtes du Rhône vineyard runs for over 200 kilometres down the Rhone valley from the south of Lyons to the Camargue . Within the region, there are a number of prestigious smaller areas such as Côte Rotie (in the northern part of the region), Hermitage or Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas (near Avignon). The southern end of the Côtes du Rhône appellation area isa ctually in Provence.

The vast majority of Côtes du Rhône wine is sold under the generic appellations, "Côtes du Rhône" or "Côtes du Rhone Villages". Côtes du Rhone wines are mediterranean wines, and generally speaking they are blended from the different classic grape varieties of the South of France, including most notably Viognier, Syrah, and Grenache. Price-wise, generic Côtes du Rhône wines are often at the cheaper end of the "appellation contrôlée" range. Provence Provence is a large wine-producing area, best-known for its rosé wines, the most famous of which are Côtes de Provence and Côteaux d'Aix. However, the Provence vineyard also produces red wines, including some very rich red wines from the Var, and "grey wine" from the Camargue area. The most famous of the area's white wines is Bandol, celebrated since the middle ages. Note that the Provence vineyard also includes the southern end of the Côtes du Rhone AOC area.

Languedoc The Languedoc region , covering the Mediterranean coastal plain west of the Rhone, produces a lot of fairly ordinary red wine, much of it marketed as VDQS or Vin de Pays. Languedoc is the largest French wine producing area in terms of volume. There are seven Appellations controlées in the area, the best-known of which is Corbières, and possibly the best average quality of which is Fitou. AOC wines account for some 10% of the region's production, but the proportion is increasing as Languedoc producers concentrate more on quality, rather than quantity, and strive to reposition their wines higher up the market. Thanks to the long hours of summer sun, grapes ripen well and quickly in this region, which means that Languedoc wines are rich and full bodied, and often have high alcohol content. The wines of Roussillon are very similar, this area being particularly noted for its fortified wines such as Banyuls. Rather different from the rest are the sparkling wines produced in Limoux, near Carcassonne.

"Blanquette de Limoux" is reputedly the oldest sparkling wine in France; and according to the story, it was a Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, who introduced the Limoux method of producing good sparkling wine, to the monks in Champagne who were looking for ways to improve the quality of their rather nondescript dry white wines. Regarding Dom Pérignon, the myth is almost certainly untrue; but it is well documented that Limoux was already producing sparkling wines in the 1540s, half a century before the technique took hold in Champagne. Copyright About-France.com © 2003 - 2017 ABOUTFRA There are ten major wine growing regions in France, plus a number of smaller areas. Indeed there is commercial wine production in every region of France, except for the regions bordering on France's north coast. French wine in a world market For hundreds of years, France basked in the reputation of being the world's greatest producer of wines. Today, that reputation is being rivalled by other wine-growing nations on four continents, and the French wine industry is facing new challenges.

Since the low of 2003, the French wine industry has been trying to reinvent itself, producing new wines for a changing world and European market, while continuing to provide the world's greatest wines, produced on estates with perfect conditions and centuries of winegrowing tradition. For those who know how to choose, and know something about wines, France still offers some of the greatest wines, with the greatest variety, and - yes ! - excellent value for money, even from the main wine areas. Top quality wines on sale in the village of Pommard, Burgundy Chateau de Montbazillac, near Bergerac ►► Site guide Chateaux, Cuisine & Claret - Cruise Holidays of Metro East Chateaux, Cuisine & Claret Bordeaux, France One of the many enjoyments travellers have when experiencing a new country is visiting the historic buildings in the area. Most of the time, these are cathedrals or castles. If you could take castles – or in this case, chateaux, – and combine it with two other loves such as food and wine, you have a real winner for the visitor.

Chateau Pichon Longueville One place where these three elements come together in perfect harmony is France, and if it to be red wine ( often referred to as claret), then the area has to be the Bordeaux region. Bordeaux is actually a city on the river Garonne in the region of Aquitane, in the west central coast area of the country. Besides being the capital city of Aquitane, Bordeaux is the center of a 29 billion dollar wine industry and the location of the world’s major wine fair. History abounds in this city, and it is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage for its 18th century architecture. Bordeaux Wine has been produced in this area for two thousand years, introduced it is believed by the Romans. The distinctive wine for which the region is known has been produced since the 700’s. Many of the surrounding wine estates are also home to many beautiful chateaux. There are approximately ten thousand wine chateaux ( or estates) in the region with nearly 300,000 acres of vineyards. That’s a lot of wine! About 89% is red.

The area is divided into sub areas which include Medoc, Saint-Emilion , Graves, and Pomeral. The Bordeaux region produces wines from the ordinary table varieties to some of the most prestigious wines in the world. Wine accompanies a great meal. While in the area one has to sample the great French cuisine available. Because of its proximity to the Atlantic, seafood dishes are a must from a plateau de fruits de mer ( a platter of cold seafood) to merrine ( a loaf of lobster, scallops or perhaps, cod). However, the area’s signature dish is entrecote marchand de vin, a dish of sirloin steak fried in olive oil, red wine, onions and pepper. Lamb dishes are popular, so are snails. If you like sweets, don’t miss canneles bordelaise, a caramelized brioche. “Bordelaises” coincidently is the area’s name for its women. Bergerac on the Dordogne This region boasts two other rivers besides the Garonne. They are the beautiful Dordogne, and the Gironde.

Along the Dordogne, which is actually a long (483 km.) tributary of the Gironde estuary and which gives its name to the pastoral region surrounding it, you will find the quaint city of Bergerac. Here you will find statues to Cyrano de Bergerac ( note: he never lived here!) and many museums. The architecture of the old buildings, as in many places in France, provides great photo opportunities. While there, the visitor must sample its most famous wine, Montbazillac. Enjoying the perks of a wine cruise A perfect way to explore this region is on a river cruise, preferably on a wine themed one. This way you get to see wines estates (chateaux), sample a variety of wines, and experience gourmet cuisine characteristic to the area, on board and on shore (optional). Wine with dinner is included in your fare, as well as your excursions to regional attractions and wineries, and the tempting on-board meals as well so you never have to say “Non!” to all beautiful Bordeaux has to offer. This post was written by D.MacIntyre, Compass Media , for the Cruisers Logbook .

If you are tempted, Cruise Holidays of Metro-East has an escorted 7 night wine themed river cruise on Uniworld’s River Royale , April 26,2015. Hop on board with hostess Ann-Marie Gaudet to enjoy “Bordeaux,Vineyards & Chateaux”. Bordeaux Wine Region in France: World's Most Famous Fine Wine Region | Into Wine Bordeaux Wine Region in France: World's Most Famous Fine Wine Region by Loren Sonkin Bordeaux is arguably the greatest wine region in the world. Great cellars around the world are filled with wines from the different chateaus of the region. America’s first wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson, not only drank wines from here, but made it a point to visit the region and see for himself what made these wines so great. Bordeaux lies in the southwest corner of France where it follows the Gironde River inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The region takes its name from the largest city in the area (also named Bordeaux) which is a thriving port metropolis on the Gironde. It is a very large wine region with around 250,000 acres under vine.

Although there are perhaps one hundred producers who have achieved worldwide fame, there are approximately 20,000 producers making wine in Bordeaux. Approximately 850 million bottles are produced each year. Wine has been grown in Bordeaux for a couple of thousand years predating even the Romans arrival in 56 BC. Unlike most areas of France, where the Church developed and controlled the wine, the merchant class traditionally was at the center of the Bordeaux wine trade. Perhaps this is due to its location near a port which made for easier commerce. The area was under English rule for a long time. Wineries would sell their barrels to merchants in England. Boats filled with barrels of Claret, the English word for the red wine produced here, made their way from the port of Bordeaux to England on a regular basis. In the 1400’s half of all production was sold to England. The California Wine Club For more than 25 years, The California Wine Club founders Bruce and Pam Boring have explored all corners of California’s wine country to find award-winning, handcrafted wine to share with the world. Each month, the club features a different small family winery and hand selects two of their best wines for members.

Personal Tailored Club It was the Bordelaise who realized early on the advantage of selling wines under the name of the Chateau and not the city where it was grown, a concept known today as branding. In 1855, at the direction of the Emperor Napoleon, the merchants of Bordeaux drew up a classification of the best Chateaus. This was not a classification of the best vineyards like other areas of France; rather it was a listing of the sixty-one best estates. The merchants divided up these estates into 5 classes based on the prices they were able to charge for their wines at that time. All of these estates were in an area called Medoc with the exception of Haut Brion which is in an area called Graves. Haut Brion was already well established by 1855. There are references to it being one of the great wines of the area as far back as 1663. Four Chateaus were classified as first class: Haut Brion, Lafite, Latour and Margaux. A complete listing of the 1855 classification can be found at the end of this article.

Although some of the Chateaus listed have fallen from grace and other wines have escalated to preeminence, the 1855 classification is still used and revered. The sweet dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac were also classified in 1855. Chateau d’Yquem was the only property (including the red wines) to be classified as a Great First Growth (Grand Premier Cru). In the 1900s Baron Phillipe de Rothschild was an innovator at Mouton Rothschild where he bottled wines at the chateau instead of selling barrels to merchants to bottle. This gave him more control over the finished product. In addition, he made an economical wine putting his chateau’s name on the bottle. Mouton Cadet, despite being an inexpensive wine of average quality, became a huge seller. Perhaps, however, he will be most famous for his continual lobbying of the French AOC system to upgrade his property to first class. Eventually his hard work paid off. In 1973 Chateau Mouton Rothschild was upgraded to first class in the only significant change to the 1855 classification. Bordeaux makes red, white and sweet dessert wines.

The red wines come from five different grapes. They are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The first two make up the bulk of the wines with the last two being used in very small quantities. The wineries tend to get divided based on which side of the Gironde they are on. While not required by law, the left bank wines tend to have more Cabernet Sauvignon than other grapes and the right bank wines tend to be Merlot dominated. In either case, all of the wines are blends of grapes. The white wines are for the most part Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grape blends as are the dessert wines. Some also have some Sauvignon Gris. The better white wines seem to come from the commune of Graves although many properties make both red and white wines. Most, however, have one they regard as their best. The proximity to the ocean protects the grapes from too hot or too cold temperatures. The winters tend to be short. Due to the humidity from the ocean, rot in the vineyard is a concern. It is also the source of a mold that, under the right circumstances, allows the grapes to make wonder wonderful dessert wines.

The climate is not consistent from year to year and in a given decade there may be two or three outstanding vintages and two or three subpar vintages. Vintages do matter here. The vignerons, however, are learning to make good wine even in off vintages. 1 Bordeaux Wine - Beginner's Guide Bordeaux Wine A Beginners Guide to the Basics of Bordeaux Wine Bordeaux's Left Bank - Medoc. CIVB / Philippe Roy By Stacy Slinkard Updated February 06, 2016. Bordeaux...just the name conjures up all sorts of extraordinary wine expectations. As the fourth largest French city, the largest controlled wine growing region (AOC) in France, home to over 10,000 producers and the artisan of close to 70 million cases of wine per vintage, Bordeaux is the modern-day red wine Mecca, beckoning pilgrims near and far to scout for, speculate on and ultimately imbibe in the crown jewel, Bordeaux's exalted red wines.

Not to say that Bordeaux doesn’t enjoy a favored following on the white wine or sweet wine fronts, merely that Bordeaux has been built on a foundation of red wine for hundreds of years, forged in large part by the historical and somewhat symbiotic relationship with the British over the highly coveted claret. This famous winemaking region’s maritime climate, celebrated parcels of land, distinguished collection of grape varieties, well-honed traditions and complicated classification systems all come together in a tethered trellising system to form the winemaking wonder that is Bordeaux. continue reading below our video How to Juice Citrus A land based on “banks” – left bank or right bank, formal family roots and home to a slew of newcomers, layered with rules yet capable of cultivating wines that don’t all fall in regulatory line, crafting wine for futures yet gracing the table with everyday wine, every day, and built on a reputation of high-end wine, but presenting over 80% of its juice to the world in the “affordable” wine category at the $8-30 price point, Bordeaux is full of contrasts and more than capable of maintaining multiple wine expectations very well.

Bordeaux – Climate and the Lay of the Land Located in the southwest corner of France, just miles from the Atlantic, Bordeaux benefits considerably from the coastal maritime influence, and typically enjoys wet springs, fairly gentle summers and mild winters. The Gulf Stream exerts a warming influence on the region, yet summer weather can be fickle and inconsistent, making for interesting issues when it comes to getting grapes to fully ripen. Bordeaux: Good Vintages vs. Great Vintages Bordeaux’s climate is a critical player in vintage quality year in and year out. With great vintages built on the backs of well-ripened grapes and intended to age for the long haul and good vintages, maintaining the silver lining of being ready to drink earlier and selling at more affordable prices. The best vintages are always warm ones, Bordeaux can be a cool climate for red grapes, which need plenty of sun to reach full maturity, with optimum levels of sugar and tannin. Mature grapes create great wines. With good vintages , the wines come across fairly fresh, with less complexity and overall intensity.

These wines may be ready to drink upon release and require a lot less age to enjoy fully, though if you do want to hold a good vintage 3-5 years will often suffice. Vintages from recent years that fall into the “good category” include 2006, 2007 and 2008. Great vintages are built to cellar. They have a density, intensity and overall complexity that will only get more interesting with age. Recent Bordeaux vintages that fall into the “great category” include 2005, 2009 and 2010. Battle of the Banks – Bordeaux's Left Bank vs. Right Bank Three rivers do their best to define Bordeaux, with the major river, Gironde (truly classified as an estuary), effectively dividing the region into two primary sections – known worldwide simply as the left bank and the right bank. The flat, lower-lying land south of the Gironde is designated as the left bank and includes the regions of the Medoc and Graves . The gently sloping land on the north side of the Gironde is considered the right bank.

The Gironde maintains two tributaries, the Garonne and Dordogne, with the Dordogne River serving to extend the right bank southeast along the most notable districts of Pomerol and St. Emilion . While, the Garonne continues its course south of the charming city of Bordeaux and slices through the land around the key districts of Graves, Pessac-Leognan and Sauternes . In general, gravel dominates the soil of the left bank, which holds the sun’s heat well, lending itself to nurturing the thermophilic properties of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes best. The soil of Bordeaux’s right bank steers towards limestone and clay, functioning like a sponge to hold water, making it the ideal soil to grow the softer side of early-ripening Merlot . While the wines of the right bank tend to lean more heavily on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon typically anchors the blends of the left bank, these are not hard and fast rules, with both varietals enjoying opportunities for growth on the opposite bank, depending on the vineyard’s subsoil, orientation and general terroir.

The beauty of Bordeaux’s wines stem from the blend; it is in fact the blended synergy between the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, well supported by Cabernet Franc , that brings the balance and elegance that have become synonymous with Bordeaux wine for centuries. The complementary growing patterns and palate personalities of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offer built-in risk management. There is a safeguard in knowing that Merlot will ripen sooner than Cab. If weather wipes out one grape, there’s still hope for the other, keeping all of the eggs out of a single basket at harvest time not only brings peace of mind but also allows two unique grapes to participate in a blended partnership to build a wine that is truly better together. Merlot brings plenty of red berry fruit, silky tannins, higher alcohol and lower acidity levels. While Cabernet Sauvignon is heavy on the black fruit, enjoys tighter tannins, significant structure and often lower levels of alcohol than Merlot. These complementary characteristics serve to support the balance of the blend, where one grape may lack the other fills in, resulting in a wine marriage that’s forged and sustained on varietal strengths while working in tandem to blend away weakness.

The Grapes of Bordeaux Don’t expect to find the grapes on the labels of Bordeaux wines, you’ll find producer names, various villages, appellations and AOC designations, but not grapes. Why? It is where the grapes are grow - the terroir, the region, the village, the chateau itself that is most important to the Bordelais, not the individual grape varieties. This can make it tough to navigate Bordeaux wines for New World consumers, who tend to be more grape-centric, born and raised on the label designates of “Merlot” or “Cabernet Sauvignon.” Remember the name of the game is BLEND in Bordeaux, it is the combination of the climate, the soil, the overall terroir and the dominate grapes that create a wine from Bordeaux, not a stand alone, all-star varietal. Red Wine Grapes of Bordeaux Bordeaux’s red wines are the region’s most vocal ambassadors, living a legend and leaving a legacy to all who imbibe. Crafted for perfect pairing with the region’s best lamb, beef, duck, wild game and local cheese, Bordeaux’s reds on all levels, live for food.

Merlot is the primary red grape grown in Bordeaux weighing in at 60% of the vines planted, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at 26 % and Cab Franc at 12%. Malbec and Petit Verdot may also be grown in Bordeaux, but they are grown in much smaller quantities and are used more for “seasoning” the red blend rather than building the blend itself. Merlot– The dominant red wine grape of Bordeaux is Merlot. The highest concentrations of Merlot are grown on the right bank with limestone and clay being the most common soil substrates. This early ripening grape brings plenty to the blending table. Aromatic red fruit on the nose along with the supple fruit components of plum, cherry and chocolate and softer, silk-driven tannins bring a round character to the medium to full-bodied Merlot-based wines of Bordeaux’s right bank. The storied village of St. Emilion and the small district of Pomerol are the most famous districts for Merlot-based blends in Bordeaux; while, Fronsac continues to be one of the more affordable, offering high quality, well-priced right bank wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon – 26% of Bordeaux’s red wine grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab dominates the left bank and is a late ripening grape, with intense tannins contributing structure, depth and long-term aging potential. Wines on the left bank are anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon and blended with varying degrees of Merlot and Cab Franc (and perhaps a scosh of Petit Verdot). These left bank lads tend to enjoy deep color, remarkable intensity, a full body, plenty of structure and enduring elegance along with darker fruit components. Acclaimed names for some of Bordeaux’s best Cab-based blends come from the villages of St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien and Margaux. For more affordable left bank wines look for labels with the villages of Listrac, Moulis and Haut-Medoc. Cabernet Franc – Grows best on the right bank, but is also readily found on the left bank. This grape has long played a supporting role to Bordeaux’s Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab Franc lends spicy aromas with peppery accents and violet nuances, along with an understated elegance and fine tannins to the region's red wine blends.

Malbec and Petit Verdot – In Bordeaux these grapes are grown in considerably smaller quantities, making up roughly 2% of the region's red grape population. However, Malbec and Petit Verdot both may be used in Bordeaux blends, with Malbec contributing a softness and Petit Verdot bringing some serious power and structure. White Wine Grapes of Bordeaux The white wine segment makes up about 11% of Bordeaux’s total wine market . Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, the floral Muscadelle and Ugni Blanc are the only four grape varieties allowed to participate in the white wine AOC labeled blends of Bordeaux. For a lean, dry white wine brimming with acidity and food-friendly character, look for labels sporting the district of Entre-Deux-Mers. If more body, a rounder palate profile and an uptick in complexity defines your favorite white wines, then scout labels with district designates of Pessac-Leognan or Graves. Sauvignon Blanc – The white wine grape, Sauvignon Blanc, enjoys a good deal of diversity in Bordeaux.

It can be made into a crisp, refreshing dry white wine in regions like Pessac-Leognan that pair well with oysters, shellfish and regional seafood or it can be beautifully blended with Semillon to make the sweet wines of Sauternes or Barsac, perfect pairing partners with the regional foie gras and Roquefort cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is not typically made to age on its own, but enjoyed in its youth will show fresh herb or “grassy” aromatics with bright acidity and well-balanced fruit. Semillon – The Semillon grape is the most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux. It can be showcased on its own or in a blend with Sauvignon Blanc . This grape brings full flavor, creamy textures, intensity and body to a blend and constitutes the primary grape used for making Bordeaux’s sweet Sauternes , thanks to its exceptional susceptibility to noble rot, or Botrytis Cinerea . Unlike Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon can age well given the right vintage and is a rich, dry white wine in the hands of regions like Graves and Pessac-Leognan. Buying Bordeaux Buying wine from Bordeaux can be an intimidating experience for newbies.

For starters, French wine labels in general steer clear of grapes and focus on geography. Labels highlight a wine's classification, the region that the grapes were grown, the AOC statement, and the estate - similar to New World wines, except that many are not familiar with Bordeaux's regions. Does the village lie on the left bank or right bank and why does it matter? Many would-be buyers of Bordeaux lack familiarity with Bordeaux's 10,000 estates and are oblivious to the region's the AOC Classification System . To gain an initial grip on buying wines from Bordeaux, recall that the right bank is dominated, in general, by Merlot and the left bank is typically anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon. Learning several Bordeaux-based villages on each side of the river constitutes the next step for label recognition, whether you're buying the wines online or at the wine shop. Keep in mind, vintage variables play a critical factor in buying Bordeaux wines, check out the last several Bordeaux vintages to see where they lineup on the "good" vs. "great" scale, clearly good vintages are cheaper than great vintages.

It's also no surprise, that big name chateaus will command significantly higher prices for their wines, but you can find solid red blends at incredible prices from Bordeaux's more modest chateaus. Learn more about top tips for buying wine from Bordeaux here. While the finest wines from Bordeaux, the ones that have both built and maintained the region’s prestigious reputation are quite expensive, often cashing in at $1000+ a bottle for First Growths, they do not represent the majority of wines from Bordeaux. In fact, the vast majority of Bordeaux’s wines are affordable, food-friendly wines. Love it or hate it, drink it or not, Bordeaux has ruled the world of wine for well over three centuries and looks like it will continue to steer tradition, influence consumer trends and prep the future of vines for years to come. As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary travel for the purpose of reviewing the region. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy . claret : definition of claret and synonyms of claret (English) For other uses, see Claret (disambiguation) Bordeaux wine.

Claret ( / ˈ k l ær ɨ t / KLARR-ət ) [1] is a name primarily used in British English for the red wine from the region surrounding Bordeaux in France ; outside the UK this is usually referred to as Bordeaux wine or simply Bordeaux. Usage Claret derives from the French clairet , [2] a now uncommon dark rosé and the most common wine exported from Bordeaux until the 18th century. It is a protected name within the European Union , describing a red Bordeaux wine , accepted after the British wine trade demonstrated over 300 years' usage of the term. [2] Claret is occasionally used in the United States as a semi-generic label for red wine in the style of the Bordeaux, ideally of varietals authentic to the region. The French themselves do not use the term, except for export purposes. The colour "claret" resembles the red hue of Bordeaux wine. It has become a slang term for blood , as in "tapping the claret" meaning giving someone a bloody nose. [3] History The standard style of Bordeaux wine has not always been deep red. It used to be closer to a rosé, hence the French clairet, meaning pale.

The Plantagenet kingdom, covering England and much of France from 1152 to 1453, encouraged wine trade between the regions.[ citation needed ] This trade relationship was encouraged by both of the kings following the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.[ citation needed ] As the taste for clairet developed in England, the word was adopted and gradually anglicised to "claret". In the Late Middle Ages , a claret meant a spiced wine-based drink produced by pouring heated wine, usually a red, over a bag containing a mix of spices.[ citation needed ] It was similar, and often identical, to hypocras .[ citation needed ] Spices that were specific to medieval clarets include anise , caraway , cardamom , cinnamon and fennel .[ citation needed ] The term now more frequently applies to unspiced red Bordeaux wine. The meaning of "claret" has changed over time to refer to a dry, dark red Bordeaux. [2] It has remained a term associated with the English upper class , and consequently appears on bottles of generic red Bordeaux in an effort to raise its status in the market.

[4] In November 2011, the president of the Union des Maisons de Négoce de Bordeaux, announced an intention to use the term Claret de Bordeaux for wines that are ‘light and fruity, easy to drink, in the same style as the original claret when it was prized by the English in former centuries’. [5] References

Question: Claret wine is produced in the region surrounding which French city?
Answer: Bordeaux